Aspen Public Radio | By Aspen Public Radio Staff
Published June 4, 2022

Local legend and former Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis passed away from natural causes at home in Aspen on Friday. He was 77.
Braudis, who served as sheriff for nearly 25 years, was known for his community-based, restorative-justice approach to law enforcement and for being a proponent for decriminalizing marijuana.
In the wake of Braudis’ passing, family, friends and colleagues have come together to share their stories of “the philosopher king of Aspen,” as his friend DJ Watkins called him.
Here are some stories about Braudis’ passing:
Aspen Times
Community mourns passing of Aspen’s peace-loving, legendary lawman
Bob Braudis, former Pitkin sheriff, has died
Aspen Daily News
Aspen bids farewell to its ‘philosopher king’
Former Sheriff Bob Braudis, an Aspen icon, passes away at 77
Here are some archived stories about Braudis:
Bob Braudis, Legends of Aspen Video Series
A Conversation Between Bob Braudis and Torre
Pitkin County’s Bob Braudis reflects on 24 years as sheriff
Pitkin County’s popular and unconventional sheriff ponders life after being lawman
A personal glimpse of a legendary persona
Former Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis discusses interactions with Ted Bundy
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Bob Braudis, former Pitkin sheriff, has died ~ THE ASPEN TIMES
Staff report
Bob Braudis, the former Pitkin County sheriff and county commissioner who left an indelible mark on local law enforcement and politics, died Friday morning.
Photo by Jim Paussa
Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo, acting as the Braudis family’s representative, confirmed Friday that Braudis passed around 4 to 5 a.m. from natural causes. He was 77.
“Just a brilliant, brilliant mind with the most fantastic memory,” DiSalvo said by phone from Cooperstown, New York, where he is visiting. “Every detail and name, he never struggled for names and was just a very, very special person with a huge heart as big as his frame. All of this sounds so corny and it’s true: He had a gigantic heart, and we’re all going to be affected by this for a while.”